| Whether going for the gold or giving a presentation, the | | | | fuel for your voice, and is the source of your energy. |
| beast of performance anxiety rears its ugly head. | | | | At the same time it calms you down and helps you to |
| Your hands are clammy, your knees wobbly and your | | | | concentrate. While waiting your turn to speak take |
| heart is pounding. You've developed a shortness of | | | | several calming deep slow breaths. |
| breath and your breakfast is staging an uprising. The | | | | · By memorizing the first minute of your |
| pressure is on, and you want to succeed and perform | | | | presentation so that you are on automatic pilot during |
| at the top of your game. | | | | the most dangerous time of your presentation. |
| Olympic Athletes do three things to build their | | | | TIP |
| confidence and tame the beast. They are mentally | | | | Just before you begin, take a deep breath the way |
| tough; they concentrate so deeply that they go "into | | | | Olympic Athletes do before the gun goes off. |
| the zone"; and they visualize success. | | | | VISUALIZE SUCCESS |
| BE MENTALLY TOUGH | | | | Don't set yourself up for failure by falling prey to |
| It's all in your attitude. Olympic Athletes don't feel | | | | negative "what if?" self-talk. |
| helpless. They are proactive and are determined to | | | | · "What if I forget what I want to say?" |
| succeed. Your drive to be mentally tough should | | | | · "What if I can't answer all the questions?" |
| include the following: | | | | · "What if I let (myself / my boss / my |
| · Accept the tension. It happens to everyone, | | | | department) down?" |
| and you need it so that you can be "up" for your | | | | · "What if I make a mistake?" |
| presentation. | | | | · "What if I don't meet expectations?" |
| · Cultivate courage. Courage doesn't mean the | | | | Instead visualize your success. Just as a diver can |
| absence of fear. It means fighting past it and taking | | | | visualize climbing up the ladder, stepping to the edge of |
| action. Trust yourself - you know more than you think. | | | | the platform, launching into the air, twisting perfectly |
| · Prepare a good game plan.o What's your | | | | and entering the water without a splash, you can |
| goal? What do you want from this presentation?o Do | | | | visualize yourself doing well. |
| your homework. What's expected of you?o Anticipate | | | | · Picture yourself presenting with a clear voice, |
| the moves of the "competition". What "sweat | | | | appropriate gestures and pauses and great eye |
| questions" might you have to answer? Practice your | | | | contact. |
| answers. | | | | · Picture yourself speaking fluently and without |
| TIP | | | | hesitation, and answering questions precisely. |
| Rehearse so that you are performance ready. When | | | | · Picture yourself changing your visuals without |
| you are well rehearsed your mind will be in complete | | | | looking back at the screen. |
| control, you will effortlessly know what you will say | | | | · Picture yourself using smooth transitions from |
| next and your movements will be relaxed and flowing. | | | | one page of your handout to the next. |
| CONCENTRATE | | | | · Picture the smiles in your audience after you |
| Olympic Athletes are inundated with external | | | | complete a smooth ending. |
| distractions -- from the roar of the crowd and | | | | TIP: |
| performances in other parts of the gym, to the | | | | Develop an "I'll do well" mantra. e.g., "My breathing is |
| pounding of feet and other runners breathing down | | | | steady and deep. I am confident. I am successful." |
| their neck. | | | | You have the knowledge and physical skills to give an |
| You also need to tune out distractions - from servers | | | | excellent performance. Use these three points from |
| clearing dishes during an after dinner speech or a too | | | | those who have spent years working toward the gold. |
| loud presentation in the room next door, to your | | | | As with top athletes, dedication is supplemented by |
| audience answering e-mails or talking to each other | | | | excellent coaching. We at The Prescott Group are |
| during a small group briefing. | | | | professional performance coaches. We can help you |
| How do you get into the "zone" where you are | | | | find your own rewards, and achieve the accolades |
| focused so deeply that distractions can't disturb you? | | | | you deserve. |
| · By controlled breathing. Oxygen provides the | | | | |
